Organizers For Apple Street Market Have Accomplished Amazing Things

As members of the Apple Street Market Organizing Committee and the Northside Community, we believe it is all of our Community Members’ right to have access to healthy, fresh affordable food. That is why, about a year and a half ago, when the Save-A-Lot in Northside shut down, that we, the Community Members of Northside, decided that we were not just going to sit on the sidelines while our community became “food insecure.”

As many of you know, with the help of our cooperative incubator, Cincinnati Union Cooperative Initiative (CUCI), we surveyed over a quarter of the households in Northside and 98% of respondents said it was “very important or somewhat important that they have a neighborhood source of groceries” (CUCI Neighborhood Grocery Survey, 2014). And so, we responded, working diligently to start our own grocery store cooperative- Apple Street Market, in the former Save-A-Lot building. And because this will be OUR STORE, unlike the Save-A-Lot, lacking quality fruits and vegetable and affordable as well as local and organic options, OUR STORE will provide these choices, serving our entire neighborhood.

Since we have been working on Apple Street Market in the Fall of 2013, we have accomplished some pretty amazing things including:

• Completing a feasibility study and business plan.

• Identifying a local architecture firm and contractor to redesign and renovate the building.

• Identifying a distributor that can provide the range of products we need – from affordable items to organic.

Online at applestreetmarket.coop/community-owners/community-ownership-form/ (subsidized shares are also available through C.A.I.N)

2. Goal: Secure $130,000 + in Owner Loans or Gifts

Action: Consider becoming an Owner Loaner (or Gifter) Want to put your money to work in your local economy? We are looking for gifts or loans of $1000 + for terms of 5-9 years at 0-3% interest rates. If this sounds like something that interests you contact Ellen Vera, ellendienger@gmail.com; 513.807.3898.

3. Host a House Party to help recruit Community Owners or Owner Loaners: Inform your friends about how awesome Apple Street Market is going to be and encourage them to become Community Owners or donate/loan to the cause. We will come present about the co-op at your party if you want, provide you with all the materials you need, and even walk you through step by step how to have the most successful party. Contact Heather Sturgill sturgill.heather@gmail.com, 513.885.8666.

Finally, we are saddened by the fact that Picnic and Pantry has decided to move their store downtown and wish the best of luck on their new endeavors. Now the whole city will have access to their awesome products. However, this gives us all the more reason why we have to make this full-service grocery store happen in our neighborhood in 2015. Just as everyone who comes into Northside comments about how remarkable the community is, we know that we can make this grocery store a reality, but only if we come together, as we have done so many times in the past, and each of us does our part. So please, imagine for a moment just how awesome it would be to walk down the street to buy your groceries…think about what you can commit to make this a reality…and then ACT.

Together WE can make Northside a neighborhood in which everyone can have access to healthy, fresh food.

More Info:

To find out more about the campaign visit www.applestreetmarket.coop or visit us on facebook and twitter.